James Fegan of The Athletic recently stole my idea of writing about what the White Sox should do for September call-ups (kidding of course, though funny that he did think of the same thing), however, the question is who should come up. Most of the time teams that are rebuilding or are treading water in September tend to not bring up too many players. While in most cases, I tend to agree, but I think with a wealth of talent the Sox have in the minors, more than the usual, these certain players should be brought up. There might be more roster changes in the future soon as the 40-man roster is full, but that is something to keep an eye on once September rolls along. With that being said, let's take a look at the players who I think should be brought up. And no, not Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal. Just stop thinking that they should.
Zack Collins
It's no secret that Collins is likely to get the call. After his brief stint at the major league level, he has been on fire for Charlotte. Collins is the future and giving him a chance to hit as a designated hitter, play at catcher, and get some reps at first base is the smart thing to do. Numbers from the DH position have been putrid in 2019, so why not give those at bats to a player like Collins? The numbers can't get any worse with a player like Collins who changed his plate approach as the DH.
Yermin Mercedes
After the season he's put together, I've been clamoring, as well as other fans, for him to be promoted. His defense isn't the strongest, but he does provide depth at catcher and first base. Heck, he can even be a DH as well. He had dealt with injuries that slowed his career, but he does put up some good offensive numbers and that alone should be a good reason to keep in the organization. He is Rule 5 eligible at the end of the season and that's another good reason for him get a roster spot.
Seby Zavala
Wait, five catchers on the roster!? Well I still want four, but there's a reason why I want Zavala up. I want him to develop into that backup catcher role. While he has been struggling this season at the plate, he does have some pop in his bat. Just give him some playing time behind the plate as well. As for the four catcher situation? Welington Castillo needs to be let go. It's the end of his contract with the club and letting him go with just a month to go makes no difference anyways. Why with the lack of productivity from him should he waste a roster spot for a prospect trying to make it? It would be more valuable to have Mercedes or Zavala taking that spot for September instead of Castillo.
Danny Mendick
It's been a bit of a head scratcher as to why he hasn't been promoted, but with his outstanding numbers, his defensive abilities, his versatility, and his speed, it would make sense to bring him up and get valuable playing time. In fact, it would make more sense to have him get more playing time than Yolmer Sanchez at this point. Mendick could also use a roster spot to protect him as he is Rule 5 eligible. He's a player worth keeping as he could be a valuable bench player and great depth if a player like Anderson or Madrigal go down with an injury.
Charlie Tilson
Tilson will never be more than bench player for the Sox, but what he does provide is speed, defense, and a left handed bat. He had his chance to be a starting player earlier in the year, but he showed he was not up to par to being a major league starter. That being said, he would be depth in September and could be used as a defensive replacement and as a pinch runner to give manage Rick Renteria more options to use.
Dylan Covey
Lots of Sox fans probably won't like to see Covey's name here, but he does have some good stuff. While his arm allows him to pitch like a starter, he is not cut out to be one and his track record reflects that. That being said, if need be, he can be used as a long reliever as there are times you can see him throw multiple effective innings suggesting that he is best off being a long reliever. It will be interesting how Renteria would use him, but don't expect him to get a spot start.
Caleb Frare
Frare kind of reminds me of Aaron Bummer. He is a southpaw reliever with some interesting stuff and he could be apart of the future bullpen. Frare has had injury issues this season and has struggled in Charlotte since coming back from the injury, but the Sox are high on him and maybe giving him a chance at the major league level again is what he needs. It will be interesting to see if he comes back up in September.
Carson Fulmer
Fulmer has had a very disappointing career thus far in his tenure with the Sox. The former first round draft pick has not lived up to his billing despite his electric stuff. Technically he wouldn't be promoted for September, but more so of being activated off the injured list. That being said, Fulmer could be used in multiple ways in September to see what type of role he might be succeed in. There could be some spot start and long relief opportunities for him as well as a chance to be a set up guy or even as a closer. You know the Sox will use him a lot in September, but in what way? I believe he still is good enough to pitch in the major leagues, but unfortunately not in the rotation.
Jose Ruiz
Ruiz has filthy stuff and was even recognized as a top prospect by MLB.com, but he has not pitched well in the majors. That doesn't mean he won't amount to becoming a good reliever, but that doesn't mean he will be a reliable one either. That being said, this September should give numerous opportunities for Ruiz to see what role he might do well in and more chances to develop especially with the numbers he is putting up in Charlotte. He needs more consistency and control if he wants to make it in the majors.
Thyago Vieira
Vieira has a live arm has he is a flamethrower. He absolutely throws hard and if he can figure it out in the majors, he will be a stud reliever. The Sox imagine him being a closer because of how hard he throws, however, Vieira needs to figure out consistency and needs to learn how to control his pitches better. This is probably his last chance to showcase himself and prove that he can pitch at the highest level.
Others to consider
Kyle Kubat
Kubat came out of nowhere in 2019 as the southpaw pitched well for Winston-Salem and Birmingham as he was one of the more consistent starters in the farm system. He's struggled in Charlotte, but the Sox might give him a chance.
Zach Thompson
Lots have thought that the Sox would have brought him up already considering he is Rule 5 eligible, but he has struggled in Charlotte in 2019 though those numbers are a bit misleading. His stuff is interesting and that's why the Sox might want to see what he brings to the table.
Kodi Medeiros
The numbers don't necessarily look all that good, but he made the move to reliever and looks a lot better. He is already on the 40-man roster and they might bring him up just to see what he can do, but they might feel like he is not quite ready to take that jump. It will be intriguing to see what decision they'll make here.
Now this is just what I feel like should be what the Sox do for September, not necessarily what they will do. My approach is just a bit unorthodox, but in a rebuild I feel like in a season where you know you're not going to make the playoffs and you want to develop youngsters, bring up a few and see what they can do for the month. Now, as I'm writing this, Charlotte is fighting for a playoff spot. If they make it, promotions of some of these players will be delayed depending how far the Knights go as the Sox will want their prospects to see what it is like to be in a playoff run. If they don't make it, then these players will be here before you know it. I originally was going to put Ryan Cordell in this article, but after Jon Jay's injury, I don't need to include him.
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